Taste Coleambally Festival 2018
26-28 October 2018
The Taste Coly Festival is back again!
This family-friendly 3-day event is the biggest yet. Our program is dedicated to showcasing our unique community, from our farming and produce to our country spirit and creativity.
The fun starts Friday night with a Cocktail Party leading into Saturday's program of Farm Tours, art displays, the Coly Colour Run and of course, our infamous 50 Mile Meal.
The Main Street Festival on Sunday begins with a delicious Poet's Breakfast to get you prepared for a full day of activities including the Festival Trail, street stalls, entertainment and the Coly Cook off - just to name a few! Check out the full program below.
If you wish to be involved in our festival, whether it be as part of the amazing organisation crew consisting of committee members, volunteer helpers, stall holders, producers or as a sponsor, please contact us today.
So pencil in the 26th to the 28th of October 2018 in your calendar and keep up to date with our email notifications or follow us on Facebook.
This family-friendly 3-day event is the biggest yet. Our program is dedicated to showcasing our unique community, from our farming and produce to our country spirit and creativity.
The fun starts Friday night with a Cocktail Party leading into Saturday's program of Farm Tours, art displays, the Coly Colour Run and of course, our infamous 50 Mile Meal.
The Main Street Festival on Sunday begins with a delicious Poet's Breakfast to get you prepared for a full day of activities including the Festival Trail, street stalls, entertainment and the Coly Cook off - just to name a few! Check out the full program below.
If you wish to be involved in our festival, whether it be as part of the amazing organisation crew consisting of committee members, volunteer helpers, stall holders, producers or as a sponsor, please contact us today.
So pencil in the 26th to the 28th of October 2018 in your calendar and keep up to date with our email notifications or follow us on Facebook.
Festival Program
Friday 26th October
Cocktail Party & Art Exhibition Opening
Celebrate the opening of our Art Exhibition!
With canapes and a drink on arrival, wander and explore the creativity of local and interstate artists. Winners of the individual categories will be announced and prizes handed out. Don't miss out. Book now! |
WHEN: Friday Oct 21
TIME: 7pm til late DRESS: Smart Casual WHERE: Townhall, Kingfisher Ave COST: $15.00 Tickets also available at Stitch in Time, Main Street |
Saturday 27th October
Art Exhibition
Walk around and enjoy the art exhibition including the entries and winners of our Taste Art Prize.
Chat with the artists while they create or enjoy a Devonshire tea, on offer Saturday between 10-2pm. Want to get more involved? If you're a budding artist, why not enter the Taste Art Prize and be in the running for some fabulous prizes. DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM HERE |
WHEN: Saturday 10am-2pm
Sunday 9am-2pm WHERE: Town Hall, Kingfisher Ave COST: EXHIBITION - Gold Coin Donation |
Farm Tour
The tour will include a visit to the Solar Farm, our local Murrumbidgee Shire Demonstration farm, a large scale irrigation farm and an ethanol plant with morning tea at the historic Tubbo woolshed. Experience life on the farm! Travel by bus through the Coleambally Irrigation Area and learn about the diverse farming practices used in the region.
You'll discover our passion for growing high quality food in an environmentally sustainable manner using best practise management, conservation machinery and biological farming to ensure maximum plant health and nutrition. This tour will give you an overview of the diverse crops we grow, the water delivery system and the history of Coleambally Irrigation Area as the newest town in NSW developed specifically for producing food for the nation. |
WHEN: Saturday Oct 27
TIME: 9:00am – 1.20 pm WHERE: DEPART Town Hall Carpark, Kingfisher Ave COST: $15 adult, $5 child. Under 10 years FREE! Limited seats for the Farm Tour remaining. To book your seat, please contact : Christine Chirgwin - 0467 544 724 |
Coly Colour Run
Join us for 5kms of fun, excitement, action and colour as you walk, run or even skip your way around the town. Keep fit and healthy whilst enjoying the serene surroundings of pine trees and natural bushland at the gorgeous country town of Coleambally.
The run is open to anyone so why not grab a team together today! Features on the run include: - Prizes for the best dressed, fastest, oldest and more! - Jumping castle for the kids - Coly Colour Run Merchandise available - BBQ after - Corporate sponsorship for event, still available WHEN: Saturday Oct 27 TIME: 2pm WHERE: Town Hall, Kingfisher Ave COST: See right table |
AGE EARLY BIRD FULL PRICE
(TBA) Children under 5 FREE FREE 5-15 years $15 $20 16 years & over $20 $25 Seniors (50+) $10 $15 Families (2 adults & $50 $60 2 children 5-15 years) Groups of 6+ $15/pp ($5 discount) None |
50 Mile Meal
What better way to show off the wealth of local produce and producers, than by exploring these ingredients at this sell-out event?
This beautiful five course degustation features food and beverages sourced within a 50 mile radius. Not only will you be tasting local delights but you'll also be help reduce food miles and promote sustainable dining. FEATURES OF THE NIGHT: Some of the growers will be there on the night to explain the love and hard work that goes into producing their product. Pre-bookings are essential and can be made through the Coleambally Community Club. This is a sell-out event, so booking early is highly recommended! |
WHEN: Saturday Oct 27
TIME: 6.00pm for 6.30pm WHERE: Coleambally Community Club COST: $65 (including beer/ wine with meal) BOOKINGS: Via Coleambally Community Club: Phone: 02 6954 4170 |
Sunday 28th October
Poet's Breakfast
Festival-goers can start the day with a hearty BBQ breakfast and a belly full of laughs at the Bush Poets Breakfasts. With a fantastic line up of bush poets make sure you get your tickets.
Features of the morning include: - OPEN MIC - emerging creative, perform in this casual environment and take the opportunity to share your story and creative delights. - Recitals by special guest award-winning bush poet John Peel and Sue Pearce. |
WHEN: Sunday Oct 28
TIME: 7:30am - 9am WHERE: Fusion Centre, Kingfisher Ave COST: BREAKFAST $12 (tickets can also be purchased at the door) |
Festival Trail
The main feature of the Festival will be an Interpretive Trail, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the Irrigation Farming narrative.
Guests will discover how modern irrigation techniques complement sustainable food production in the Riverina, encouraging them to associate locally grown commodities with the array of universally recognised brands they commonly purchase at the supermarket. |
WHEN: Sunday Oct 28
TIME: 9am - 1pm |
Grazing Paddock
Get your taste buds ready for this popular slice of foodie heaven!
Grab a bite to eat from one of the stalls, showcasing delicious local ingredients and tastes from around the globe. Devour your treats while taking in the sounds from live entertainers, or pop along to a cooking demonstration by our Guest Foodie, Luke Piccolo! Other Festival Trail Features include: - Captivating music and performances - Paddock to Plate Precinct - Food available from 9.00am - Markets and more! |
WHEN: Sunday Oct 28
TIME: 9am - 1pm WHERE: Main street COST: FREE ENTRY |
Guest Foodie - Luke Piccolo
We're very proud to announce our 2018 festival Guest Foodie, Luke Piccolo. - a well known celebrity in the food industry who grew up in Griffith.
Luke Piccolo is the chef and owner of Limone Dining Restaurant in Griffith, and has been involved in the local hospitality industry for over 10 years. In 2011, Luke moved to Sydney to complete his studies working in various fine dining establishments around Sydney and had the opportunity in 2014 to travel and work in Italy where he gained a wealth of experience working in Michelin-starred restaurants. After moving back to Griffith in 2015, Luke then opened the fine-dining restaurant Limone where the seasonal menu showcases the ample local produce available. Since 2015, Luke has been working hard to promote the region, its producers and products and is a member of the Taste Riverina Committee, promoting door and wine events across the Riverina. |
Luke will be conducting a demonstration and then he and Fabiola will be the judges of both the Junior and Open SunRice Coly Cook-Offs.
WHEN: Sunday Oct 28 TIME: 12.30pm - 1 pm (Cooking Demo) WHERE: Main street COST: FREE |
Art Precinct
The Art Precinct boasts a range of exciting artistic events over the festival weekend highlighting the varied regional creative talent.
Located at the Coleambally Community Hall and the surrounding grassed area at Kingfisher Ave, Coleambally. See below for further information about each event: TBA |
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday
TIME: 10am - 4pm WHERE: Town Hall, Kingfisher Ave COST: EXHIBITION - FREE! |
Pioneer Heritage Centre
Visit the Pioneer Heritage Centre to discover the inspiring stories and facts about the establishment of our great Coleambally community.
The Coleambally Irrigation Area (CIA) began in the 1950's with farmland being allocated through a ballot system. Each farm was approx 550 irrigatable acres and had to be cleared and farms established within 5 years. The first settlers began to arrive in about March 1960 and came from many different walks of life from both rural to urban areas. Many families lived in sheds, tents and caravans as they worked to establish their farms and were without electricity until 1955. |
WHEN: Sunday Oct 28
TIME: 9am - 1pm WHERE: Main street Festival Trail COST: FREE |
Paddock to Plate Precinct
A unique feature area of the festival is the Paddock to Plate Precinct where people can talk directly with farmers and food processors to learn about sustainable farming practices and the food and fibre they grow under irrigation.
Hearing about how our food is grown, nurtured, packed and delivered to our supermarket shelves, establishes the connections back with farmers, processors and consumers. There will be interactive displays with product samples, video presentations and more. If you're interested in becoming a stallholder, please register below, or visit here for further information: |
WHEN: Sunday Oct 28
TIME: 9am - 1pm WHERE: Main street Festival Trail COST: FREE ENTRY |
Natural Fibre Showcase
Farm Yard
Get up close and personal with many farm animals, take the opportunity to feed and pat these adorable creatures.
This one is always a favourite with the children. Check out some modern tractors and learn about the technology of modern day farmers. |
WHEN: Sunday Oct 28
TIME: 9am - 1pm WHERE: Main street Festival Trail COST: FREE |
Biodiversity Centre
Irrigators are getting smarter every year, not only are they saving water and increasing yields but they are also developing ways to better support biodiversity while producing food.
For example, the Bitterns in Rice Project is working out how rice farmers can take the lead on conserving the endangered Australasian Bittern that breeds in rice crops. Remnant patches of bush are being managed to promote native grasses and shrubs, which are important for many wildlife species. |
WHEN: Sunday Oct 28
TIME: 9am - 1pm WHERE: Main street Festival Trail COST: FREE |
Watering Hole
The watering hole will be located in front of the Brolga Hotel and feature a variety of stalls showcasing the regions beverages.
Festival goers will have the opportunity to sample and purchase these brands from long established companies that have been going for decades to the new and emerging names in the market. You can also sit, relax and listen to the local entertainment. |
WHEN: Sunday Oct 28
TIME: 9am - 4pm WHERE: In front of the Brolga Hotel , Kingfisher Ave COST: FREE |
Salami Competition
Are you one of our budding salami makers? Do you think your recipe is better than your neighbours?
Well, put it to the test and let us be the judge. Don't agree with the end result from our judges, then we will also have a people's choice award to make sure all taste buds are covered. DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM HERE |
WHEN: Sunday Oct 28
TIME: Entry required by 9.30 am Sunday 28th WHERE: The Brolga Hotel COST: $10 |
Food and Fibre Regatta
Who said you can't launch a boat on dry land?
This quirky event involves locals and visitors launching their 'boats' and racing around an obstacle course, carrying their team's home-built boat. These creations MUST feature Australian and local food and fibre packaging (crates/boxes/wrappers) and combine irrigation products such as siphons, usually used for watering crops. There will be cash prizes, including prizes for creativity and the number of local products used. |
WHEN: Sunday Oct 28
TIME: TBA WHERE: Brolga Place |
SunRice Coly Cook Off
The Sunrice Coly Cook-Off is a popular event where contestants create, prepare and serve a main and dessert dish using at least one Sunrice ingredient and one other ingredient produced in the local area.
There are two categories:
RULES and REGISTRATION details here: |
When: Sunday Oct 28
Where: John McInnes Square, Main Street TIME:
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